The single most important aspect of grip pressure is that it stays the same throughout the swing. One of the biggest destroyers of the golf swing is an increase in grip pressure at the start of the downswing. When this happens it is virtually impossible to swing the clubhead on the correct path with the correct face angle. If anything the grip pressure should lighten slightly on the downswing to help us fully release the club.

Here is a simple drill to help you stop choking the club on the downswing. During your practice sessions check your grip pressure when you are addressing the ball and check it again when you are holding your finish position. It should be the same at the finish as it was during address. If it is not you have some work to do. The more often you check on yourself, the sooner your brain will get the message you want the pressure to stay the same.

If we were to rate grip pressure on a scale of one to ten (with ten being a death grip and one being just barely enough pressure to keep the club from falling out of our hands) the ideal grip pressure is between 3 and 5. The lighter the better. We need speed to propel the ball long distances NOT FORCE. Swinging a golf club is similar to throwing a ball, the muscles of the hand and arm should be loose and whippy. The tighter we hold on the SLOWER the clubhead will be moving when it gets to the ball.

The control of the club comes from the last three fingers of the left hand and the middle two fingers of the right hand. Proper grip position will take care of this for us. You do not need to consciously hold on tighter with these areas. Be very careful of the thumb and trigger finger of the right hand! They are the most likely source of unwanted pressure during the swing. Practice swinging with them off the club. It will feel strange at first but, if you stay with it you will notice tremendous distance and control benefits in the long run.

puteh83Senior Golfer

Posts : 479Join date : 2009-06-22

Subject: Re: Grip presure Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:52 pm

i read somewhere that a certain pro used to teach kids to dry swing with an uncapped tube of toothpaste. when the toothpaste doesn't get squeeze out, that's the right pressure.

Any insights?

GraySuper Active Golfer

Posts : 1270Join date : 2009-06-20

Subject: Re: Grip presure Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:57 pm

I really fear the club fly out of my hands. Thats why i chose multi compound grips

The single most important aspect of grip pressure is that it stays the same throughout the swing. One of the biggest destroyers of the golf swing is an increase in grip pressure at the start of the downswing. When this happens it is virtually impossible to swing the clubhead on the correct path with the correct face angle. If anything the grip pressure should lighten slightly on the downswing to help us fully release the club.

Here is a simple drill to help you stop choking the club on the downswing. During your practice sessions check your grip pressure when you are addressing the ball and check it again when you are holding your finish position. It should be the same at the finish as it was during address. If it is not you have some work to do. The more often you check on yourself, the sooner your brain will get the message you want the pressure to stay the same.

If we were to rate grip pressure on a scale of one to ten (with ten being a death grip and one being just barely enough pressure to keep the club from falling out of our hands) the ideal grip pressure is between 3 and 5. The lighter the better. We need speed to propel the ball long distances NOT FORCE. Swinging a golf club is similar to throwing a ball, the muscles of the hand and arm should be loose and whippy. The tighter we hold on the SLOWER the clubhead will be moving when it gets to the ball.

The control of the club comes from the last three fingers of the left hand and the middle two fingers of the right hand. Proper grip position will take care of this for us. You do not need to consciously hold on tighter with these areas. Be very careful of the thumb and trigger finger of the right hand! They are the most likely source of unwanted pressure during the swing. Practice swinging with them off the club. It will feel strange at first but, if you stay with it you will notice tremendous distance and control benefits in the long run.

Will try this out to see if this is the reason for my fading balls.

puteh83Senior Golfer

Posts : 479Join date : 2009-06-22

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:41 am

Gray wrote:

I really fear the club fly out of my hands. Thats why i chose multi compound grips

but multi compound grips causes alot of discomfort.

GraySuper Active Golfer

Posts : 1270Join date : 2009-06-20

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:57 am

puteh83 wrote:

Gray wrote:

I really fear the club fly out of my hands. Thats why i chose multi compound grips

If you're getting blisters whatever the rubber grip you are using, your hands are slipping from an improper grip. The most likely area where this happens is during the transition from backswing to downswing.

Check that your grip is unified and airtight as one and that you only feel pressure exerted by the last three fingers of your left hand and the middle two fingers of the right.

asahiCourse Marshal

Posts : 10361Join date : 2009-12-19Age : 40

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:05 pm

Birdman wrote:

If you're getting blisters whatever the rubber grip you are using, your hands are slipping from an improper grip. The most likely area where this happens is during the transition from backswing to downswing.

Check that your grip is unified and airtight as one and that you only feel pressure exerted by the last three fingers of your left hand and the middle two fingers of the right.

7 early 8 early got such profound advice liao.

Anyway, agree with BM here. Most likely to do with the gripping rather than the grips.

Me using multi compound all this while.....so far so good.

pushsliceCaddy

Posts : 5606Join date : 2009-12-26

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:09 pm

A pro in bali once taught me the grip pressure is actually from pinkie to middle finger. Not on the index and thumb. Same as on the article.

Thereafter, i stopped having blisters and to my surprise, actually started swinging better.

To feel where the grip pressure is applied, grip the club in the address position with just the left hand. Then cock your left wrist raising the club upwards from the address position till it's about horizontal. Lift of the index finger and thumb from the grip leaving just the last three fingers on.

Repeat the same with the right hand, except at the horizontal position, you have only the middle and ring fingers gripping the club against the fleshy thumb pad of your palm.

TechnospazAdvisor

Posts : 15650Join date : 2009-06-18Age : 41Location : Typically OOB

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:51 pm

I often encounter this problem. The stronger my grip, the more likely I'm going to pull my shot.

I spoke with many of our more senior golfers here and they advised that a gripping the club should be like gripping a tube of toothpaste. You want to grip it hard enough so that it doesn't slip out of your hands but not too hard such that the toothpaste comes out of the tube.

Yes, it's a fine line but it's helped. I don't always get this right but I'm learning

_________________Clearing my Storeroom of golfing goodies. Please help support

"A ball will always come to rest halfway down a hill, unless there is sand or water at the bottom." Henry Beard

GraySuper Active Golfer

Posts : 1270Join date : 2009-06-20

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:01 pm

I followed the article and my shots in the range getting more consistently straight instead of 50-50% chance straight.

Those who cant hit straight may want to check grip first

kwannickJunior Golfer

Posts : 200Join date : 2010-08-25

Subject: Re: Grip presure Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:20 pm

V enlightening thread. Thanks for everybody for sharing! Now if I can only release my "vise-like" grip when I am swinging....Another swing thought...*sigh*

megatiskandarNewbie Golfer

Posts : 23Join date : 2012-02-05

Subject: Re: Grip presure Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:09 pm

I also have grip pressure issue - even now. But i found, similar to Gray, that new decade multi compound grips works to reduce this issue to an extent.

LisyJunior Golfer

Posts : 208Join date : 2011-10-05

Subject: Re: Grip presure Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:35 pm

ahyoyo..

so complex..think simple..

Hold it gently but firm.. hold it with no pressure...just like how you hold the hand of the one that you love..